Trash bucket

ABSTRACT

A receptacle or bucket for hauling trash and debris comprises a bottom floor and at least one generally vertical wall extending upwardly from the floor, having a front face with an open portion to receive trash and debris and, acting with the floor, acts to hold the trash and debris in place during movement from place to place. The bucket or basket further includes a rear face designed to accept an engagement structure adapted to be engaged by a skid loader or other vehicle having at least one arm extending outwardly and upwardly from the vehicle to load and unload trash and debris into and out of the basket. In one embodiment the basket comprises laterally spaced side walls joined by a transversely extending rear wall. In another embodiment the rear wall and/or the side walls comprise one or more reinforcing generally transverse and/or vertical members. In another embodiment the skid loader engagement structure allows the arm or arms of the skid loader to be removed from the basket when the basket has been loaded or unloaded.

I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to trash and debris receptacles, and buckets, particularly trash and debris buckets designed for use with fork lifts or other vehicles with lifting attachments.

II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are available various trash and debris collection systems. However, they do not provide the functionality, economy, and versatility of the present invention.

U.S. Pat. No 6,685,420 B1 discloses a stackable cargo bin with dump feature. This invention is designed for storage and has the potential of allowing multiple units to be stacked on top of one another. It has the further capability of allowing its contents to be dumped by means of a skid loader, which entails a very involved and potentially hazardous operation. At times, the cargo bin is not firmly secured to its skid-loader transport, allowing it to break free and endanger property and lives. The present invention is secured to a transport vehicle while in use. Its smaller size also lends it to more versatile use around work sites.

U.S. Pat. No.5,967,361 discloses a dumpster-type refuse container that may be periodically dumped. It teaches no provision for mobility about ajob site.

III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A. Objects of the Invention

One objective of the present invention is to provide a trash and debris including but not limited to construction debris, trash, garbage, or pieces of concrete, collection bucket or receptacle.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a trash and debris collection receptacle that may employ specific structure that allows it to be moved and transported by a power vehicle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a trash and debris collection receptacle that may be adapted for use with another type of vehicle. Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions and drawings.

B. Summary

A receptacle or bucket for hauling trash and debris comprises a bottom floor and at least one generally vertical wall extending upwardly from the floor, having a front face with an open portion to receive trash and debris and, acting with the floor, acts to hold the trash and debris in place during movement from place to place. The bucket or basket further includes a rear face designed to accept an engagement structure adapted to be engaged by a forklift or other vehicle having at least one arm extending outwardly and upwardly from the vehicle to load and unload trash and debris into and out of the basket. In one embodiment the basket comprises laterally spaced side walls joined by a transversely extending rear wall. In another embodiment the rear wall and/or the side walls comprise one or more reinforcing generally transverse and/or vertical members. In another embodiment the skid loader engagement structure allows the arm or arms of the skid loader to be removed from the basket when the basket has been loaded or unloaded.

IV. THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of the bucket or basket of the present invention, showing a suitable mounting frame attached.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the mounting frame, showing its component parts.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the present invention, showing its framework.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the present invention, showing its component parts.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the mounting frame, showing it in relation to the skid loader.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a utility mounting frame, showing how the a connecting wedge captures the mounting frame.

V. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows the present invention, generally at 100, including mounting frame 500. Mounting frame 500 is designed to adapt various pieces of power equipment to be used in conjunction with the present invention. Mounting frame 500 is attached to the present invention by means of welding and/or mechanical fasteners. Other mounting frame assemblies may be adapted to the present invention to allow it to be used with other types of power vehicles.

Mounting frame, FIG. 1A, comprises body 540, feet, 510, sides 530, and top flange 550. Slots 520 are used to receive part of a power vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 3, the present invention further comprises one or more of the following subassemblies: rear wall 200, two side walls 300, and bottom 400. The subassemblies are attached to each other by means of welding and/or mechanical fasteners.

Rear wall 200 comprises rear wall frame top 205, rear wall frame bottom 210, two rear wall frame sides 215, four rear wall frame vertical supports 220, two rear wall frame outboard horizontal supports 225, two rear wall frame inboard horizontal supports 235, one rear wall frame center horizontal support 240, rear panel 230, and rear screen 250. All rear wall frame components may be made from (preferably square) steel or heavy aluminum alloy tubing and are attached to one another by means of welding and/or mechanical fasteners. Rear panel 230 may be made from steel, aluminum alloy, or wood, and may be attached to rear frame components by means of welding and/or mechanical fasteners. Rear screen 250 may be made of steel or aluminum mesh, perforated metal, or any material suitable to afford light weight but keep debris inside the confines of the present invention while in use. Rear screen 250 may be attached to rear frame components by means of welding and/or mechanical fasteners.

Side walls 300 comprise side wall frame bottom 305, side wall frame front 310, side wall frame horizontal support 315, side wall frame angled support 320, side wall frame protrusion 325, side panel 350, and side screen 375. All side wall frame components may be made from (preferably square) steel or heavy aluminum alloy tubing and are attached to one another by means of welding and/or mechanical fasteners. Side panel 230 may be made from steel, aluminum alloy, or wood, and may be attached to side frame components by means of welding and/or mechanical fasteners. Side screen 250 may be made of steel or aluminum mesh, perforated metal, or any material suitable to afford light weight but keep debris inside the confines of the present invention while in use. Side screen 250 may be attached to side frame components by means of welding and/or mechanical fasteners.

Bottom 400 comprises bottom frame front 405, two bottom frame transverse members 410, two bottom frame outboard lateral members 415, one bottom frame center lateral member 420, and bottom panel 450. All bottom frame components may be made from (preferably square) steel or heavy aluminum alloy tubing and are attached to one another by means of welding and/or mechanical fasteners. Bottom panel 450 may be made from steel, aluminum alloy, or wood, and may be attached to bottom frame components by means of welding and/or mechanical fasteners.

A power vehicle 600 is required to move the assembly from place to place. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 4, a universal power source 602 arms 610. The equipment operator brings the power source 602 in close proximity to the assembly of the present invention, lining it up with mounting frame 500. Power source 602 is tilted to allow top edges 620 to go up and under mounting frame top flange 550. Power Source 602 is again tilted to align frame 650 with utility mounting frame 500. Levers 630 are turned 90 degrees, causing wedges 640 to protrude downwardly through slots 520 in feet 510, forcing power source 602 to remain in contact with utility mounting frame 500. In certain cases, the skid loader loader may be equipped with a powered attaching mechanism, permitting the utility mounting frame to be captured without manually moving levers 630. Removing the power source is accomplished by reversing the above steps.

Other vehicles may employ similar or different means of attaching the present invention. 

1. A trash and debris bucket receptacle comprising: a bottom floor, at least one rear wall, at least one side wall, and a rear face to accept an engagement structure to allow said bucket to be used with a power vehicle.
 2. A trash and debris receptacle according to claim 1 wherein said bottom floor, said rear wall, and said side wall are assembled to each other using mechanical fasteners and/or welding.
 3. A trash and debris receptacle according to claim 1 wherein said bottom floor comprises a framework and a bottom panel.
 4. A trash and debris receptacle according to claim 3 wherein said bottom floor provides mounting surfaces for said rear wall and said side walls.
 5. A trash and debris receptacle according to claim 3 wherein said bottom floor is sufficiently rugged to withstand continued use with a fill load of debris.
 6. A trash and debris receptacle according to claim 3 wherein said framework is made from a material selected from steel tubing and aluminum tubing, held together by mechanical fasteners and/or welding.
 7. A trash and debris receptacle according to claim 3 wherein said bottom panel is made from a material selected from of steel, aluminum alloy, and wood, and is connected to said framework by means of mechanical fasteners and/or welding.
 8. A trash and debris receptacle according to claim 1 wherein said rear wall comprises a framework, a solid panel, and a screened area.
 9. A trash and debris receptacle according to claim 8 wherein said framework is made from a material selected from steel tubing and aluminum tubing, held together by mechanical fasteners and/or welding.
 10. A trash and debris receptacle according to claim 8 wherein said solid panel is made from a material selected from steel, aluminum alloy, and wood, and is connected to said framework by means of mechanical fasteners and/or welding.
 11. A trash and debris receptacle according to claim 10 wherein said solid panel is capable of retaining trash and debris inside said receptacle.
 12. A trash and debris receptacle according to claim 8 wherein said screened area is made from a material selected from steel mesh and aluminum alloy mesh
 13. A trash and debris receptacle according to claim 1 wherein each of two said side walls comprise a framework, a solid panel, and a screened area.
 14. A trash and debris receptacle according to claim 13 wherein said framework is made from a material selected from steel tubing and aluminum tubing, held together by mechanical fasteners and/or welding, and wherein said solid panel is made from a material selcected from steel, aluminum alloy, and wood, and is connected to said framework by means of mechanical fasteners and/or welding.
 15. A trash and debris receptacle according to claim 13 wherein said solid panel is capable of retaining trash and debris inside said receptacle.
 16. A trash and debris receptacle according to claim 15 wherein said screened area is comprised of a material selected from steel mesh and aluminum mesh capable of providing light weight while retaining trash and debris inside said receptacle.
 17. A trash and debris receptacle according to claim 1 wherein said rear face accepts an engagement structure to be mounted by means of welding and/or mechanical fasteners.
 18. A trash and debris receptacle according to claim 17 wherein said engagement structure extends from a power source for lifting.
 19. A trash and debris receptacle according to claim 18 wherein said engagement structure extends from a power source comprising arms extending from said power source.
 20. A trash and debris receptacle according to claim 20 wherein said arms extending from said power source include wedges which protrude through slots in a mounting frame. 